Information AboutTeopantecuanitlan |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT TEOPANTECUANITLAN | |
| archaeological sites in mexico | |
| olmec sites | |
| nahuatl words and phrases | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
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LOCATION Teopantecuanitlan is located in the state of Guerrero in Mexico, at . Five miles from the convergence of the Amacuzac and Mezcala River s, this river system provided the perfect environment for trade and travel. Teopantecuanitlan occupies some 160 hectares (395 acres). THE SITE Teopantecuanitlan was occupied between 1400 and 500 BCE , peaking in population and complexity between 1000 and 800 BCE . During the climax of Teopantecuanitlan society there were numerous residential areas within the site. These residential areas consisted of stone based houses with surrounding courtyards. Within these residential quarters artifacts such as imported shell and obsidian artifacts have been found. These artifacts provide material evidence that this community was a part of an interregional trading network. The site of Teopantecuanitlan is not only filled with residential living spaces but also monumental architecture, art, and agricultural terraces. This site is home to the first civil-ceremonial structure in all of Mesoamerica , the Enclosure. The first monumental evidence of the Olmecs in the highlands of Mexico, the Enclosure sits upon a sunken patio with rooms and platforms nearby. The Enclosure is made up of high quality cut stone architecture and stone sculptures in typical Olmec style. There is a monolith present within the Enclosure that is possibly Mesoamerica’s first concept of a calendar. This monolith has a flower and two bars depicted which may represent a certain date in time. There are also two stone sculptures on either end of the Enclosure that, on the spring equinox, allow the sun to pass directly through its center. These two stone sculptures also carry probable relations to a calendrical system of some sort. This site also consists of two Ball Courts . One miniature ball court is located within the Enclosure itself while the other is located elsewhere in the site. At one end of the mini ball court there is an adobe sweat bath. This sweat bath was most likely used as a social bonding environment for the developing elite class of Teopantecuanitlan. Teopantecuanitlan is also home to the oldest known Mesoamerican dam. This dam was constructed around 1200 BCE and built of rough uncut rocks. This dam was known as a gravity dam meaning that it relies on gravity to bring water to the agricultural land. Canals, or channels, made of large flat stone slabs are also present in Teopantecuanitlan. The lining of these canals were of benefit to the domestication of plants by being a means of irrigation. These canals prevented erosion damage, loss of water also acted as a sewer. This site is also the first in Mesoamerica to utilize the architectural feature known as a Corbelled Vault . This vault allowed for high ceilings without the use of trapezoidal cut stone. These corbelled vaults were used in ancient structures such as the tombs of the elite and in temples. Teopantecuanitlan society was not egalitarian -- otherwise such monumental structures would not have been built. There was a leader in place to oversee the building of these structures as well as instruct the laborers and ensure that all the necessary resources were available. The Teopantecuanitlan site is open to from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 hours. REFERENCES
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